The Influence of Self-Esteem and Peer Pressure on Career Choice of Adolescents in Greater Accra, Ghana

Download Article

DOI: 10.21522/TIJAR.2014.08.04.Art010

Authors : Peter Worlanyo Abomah

Abstract:

The study examined the influence of self-esteem and Peer pressure on the career choice of adolescents. The purpose was to determine the relationship between Peer pressure and career choice, the relationship between self-esteem and career choice, and compare the influence of self-esteem and Peer pressure on adolescent boys and girls. Cross-sectional and descriptive was the research design. Cluster sampling was used to select four schools, and stratified proportional, and simple random sampling was used to select 200 respondents. Rosenberg self-esteem, Peer pressure, and career decision scales were used to collect data from 200 Senior High School students in selected schools in the Greater Accra region Ghana. Pearson’s correlation and regression analysis were the statistical tools for the analysis of data. The results indicate that self-esteem positively correlates with the career choice of adolescents. Peer pressure positively correlates career choices of adolescents. There is no gender differences in Peer pressure and career choice of adolescents. Challenges of career choice among adolescents include the lack of career guidance, the influence of family, general indecisiveness, the desire to pursue a career that earns much, and the opinion of their peer concerning career choice.

Keywords: Andadolescence, Career Choice, Peer pressure, self-esteem.

References:

[1] Ogutu, J. J. P., Odera, P. &Maragia, S. N. (2017). The Effectiveness of Peer Pressure on Student’ Career Decision Making in Secondary School in Kenya. International Journal of Humanities and Social Studies, III (3), 16-32.

[2] Kounenou, K. 2012). Self-esteem, work values and career choice among Greek students of Higher pedagogical & technological studies. Handbook of Psychology of Self-Esteem. Nova Publications, pp. 383-391.

[3] Abdel-Khalek, A. M. (2016). Introduction to Psychology of Self-Esteem. Research Gate, 1-23.

[4] Patton, W., Bartrum, D., & Creed, P. (2004). Gender differences for optimism, self-esteem, expectations, and goals in predicting career planning and exploration in adolescents. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 4(3), 193-209.

[5] Javed, Z., & Tariq, O. (2016). Career-decisions, Self-efficacy, and Self-esteem among Students of Private and Government Academic Institutions. Pakistan Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 14(2), 42-46.

[6] Redman, T. & Wilknson, A. 2001). Contemporary Human Resource Management, New York: Financial Times Prentice Hall.

[7] Kazi, A. S., & Akhlaq, A. (2017). Factors Affecting Students’ Career Choice. Journal of Research and Reflections in Education, 2, 187-196.

[8] Farreo, D. & Garkuwa, J. 2018). Factors Influencing the Career Choice of Senior Secondary School Students in Hong local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. International Journal of Current Aspects in Social Sciences, 2 {2}, 1-9.

[9] Rosenberg, M 1965). Society and the Adolescent Self-Image. Research Gate. Retrieved November 4, 2018, from

https://www/researchgate.net/publication/200008900and-The-Adolescent-Self-Image.

[10] Weist, F. (2018). The Moderating Effect of the Social Norms on the Relationship between Stress and Cognitive-Enhancement Drug Use. Bachelor Thesis, University of Twente, Nertherlands. Retrieved August 1, 2019, from https://essay.utwente.nl/75219/1/Weist_BA_BMS.pdf.

[11] Brown, J. D., Dutton, K. A. & Cook, K. E. 2001). From the top down: Self–esteem and self-evaluation. Cognitive and Emotion, 15, 615-631.

[12] Osipow, S. H. Carney, C. G. & Barak, A. 1976. A scale of educational-vocational undecidedness: A typological approach. Journal of Vocational Behavior, {9}2, 233-243 https://doi.org/10/1016/0001-8791){76}90081-6.

[13] Guay, F. Ratelle, C. F. Senecal, C. arose, S. & Daschenes A. {2006}. Distinguishing Developmental from Chronic Cancer Indecision: Self-Efficacy, Autonomy, and Social Support. Journal of Career Assessment 14 {2} 235-251.

[14] Dokosi, E. D. (2014). Investigating the factors influencing career choice amongst prospective and recent graduates in Ghana. (Undergraduate thesis, Ashesi University Ghana).


[15] Gati, I. & Saka, N. {2001}. High School Students’ Career-related decision-making difficulties. Journal of Counselling & Development, 79 3), 331-340.

[16] Ghana Schools Net Senior High School-Greater Accra Region. Retrieved June 14, 2019, From https://www.ghanaschoolsnetcom/page/senior-high-school-greater?page=2.

[17] International Labourr Oganisation 2011. Global Employment Trends 2011: The Challenge of a Job recovery, International Labour Office, 1-51.

[18] Murphy, J. 2015. Schools should take the issue of Career Guidance for Students Seriously. Retrieved March 7, 2019, from http://www.Nation.co.ke/lifestyle/weekend/career-guidance-for-students-seriously/1220-2652758-vhx4h3z/index.htm.

[19] Mize 2005.Relationship of career decision-making and self-esteem for college students and Athletes. Retrieved October 10, 2018, from: https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/Egi/viewcontent.egi?article=1079&content=etc.

[20] Moulton, S. 2019. Theories of Self-esteem: Early and modern. Retrieved March 20, 2019, from https://study.com/academy/lesson/theories-of-self-esteem-early-modern.html.

[21] Talib, J., Mahammed, Z. & Mamat, M. [2011]. Effects of parenting style on children development. World Journal of Social Sciences, 1, 14-35.